The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-29
WAITING ON THE COUNCIL
The Natural-Gas Companies Want a
City Franchise Before Going Further.
Renewal of the Talk About the Consolidation
Of the Local mpanies-Preparations for
Shooting" the Brightwood Well.

Natural gas. yesterday, did not bring to the
surface any new ideas. The facts were meager,
and related chiefly to the purposes of the Stand
ard Oil psople, who rehearse their wishes in re-
gard to an ordinance without exclusive priv
ileges. 1--WE are perfectly willing for other COM
panies to have their chance at franchise" re-
marked Mr.. Mansfield. but at the same time it
is recognized that the company to first secure
the privilege of laying pipes in the streets will
have large advantage over competitors. This
will make the meeting OF the Council next Mon
day night decidedly interesting, as a gentleman
interested in the Standard movement said:
There will, no doubt. be three or four ordin-
ances Of similar tenor submitted, and tho con-
test will occur in getting the first grant We
can do no more now than wait'
The McGuffey syndicate will certainly be one
of the competing companies. but whether it will
come to the Council in the form of local organ
ization as foreign corporation is to be set
tied 1t will probably be the former, as
the McGuffev representatives are extending
their acquaintance among local capitalists
with view to having them join their enter
prise.
The third organization for a pipeline fran
chise VIII be the Indianapolis Natural-gas Com
pany Attending its interests the talk concern
ing consolidation Of the local companies has
been revived This company, it is represented,
WAS few days ago opposed to the proposition,
but at meeting of it's directors night before last
q resolution was adopted allowing any persons
or companies to subscribe for the increased
stock. 1T may eventually end" said John j.
Cooper, yesterday, Sin all our local companies
being under one management. There is plenty
OF room. though, for two pipeline companies
would like to have large share of stock in
either. although it might not supply more than
half the city"
1t is regarded by others. though that the ulti-
mate question is to be whether the city streets
and alleys are to be monopolized by home or
foreign organization. "For my part" director
of the local companies remarked, II would
prefer to have the franchise 60 to the Standard
is to DE consolidation of interests we can fare
just as we'll under that company as
under local corporation. think the fight for
franchise will be confined to the Indianapolis
and the Indiana companies consolidation of
local companies means their absorption by tho
former, although in the matter of securing the
franchise the latter has, perhaps, the advantage,
IN having its supply Of gas ready for the pipes.
But expect both will gain the privilege"
In its enterprise, the Indianapolis Natural
gas Company is relying the peoples subscrip-
ton to its new stock It's canvassing commit
tees are busy and report success. This has a
tendency to popularze the movement, and may
ultimately. as predicted, lead to the consolida-
ton proposed. Mr.. FLETCHER. of the Gas-licht
and Coke Company. has signifed his willingness
to subscribe for $50, 600 additional stock in the
Indianapolis company when the subscriptions
reach 100000. The company is preparing to
prospect on its leases about Noblesvlle. in addi-
ton to the Westfeld and Broad Ripple bores,
which are being pushed rapidly to Trenton rock
Yesterday the Capital City directors expected
the shooting of their Brightwood we'll would be
accom- pished. 1t is down to about 1850 feet,
and while there is no expression of confidence in
the result, the gentlemen interested have hopes
of finding gas. The nitro-glycerine to be used
left Lima. O., Monday last under the care of ex.
perts who are bringing it by wagon. The gen.
tleman who is to manage the operation reached
here by rail yesterday afternoon, but had heard
nothing from the waggoners 1t is probable the
work will be done to morrow